NL MVP Race: Can Freeman Catch Acuña?
This year in the National League, the race for MVP seemed to be nonexistent thanks to the high-level resurgence of a certain outfielder in the NL East.
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is finally having the breakout comeback season that Braves fans have been waiting for since he injured his ACL back in 2021. However, although Acuña has proven himself as one of the most dominant and valuable players in the league, another name on the western side of the NL is looking to return to MVP contention.
Freddie Freeman with Ronald Acuña Jr. on the Atlanta Braves. Photo via ESPN
Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers is having one of the most dominant seasons in his 14-year career in the majors. Along with having a debatably Gold Glove year at first base with a perfect fielding percentage, Freeman also leads the Blue Crew in the following hitting statistics: OPS, batting average, RBIs, runs scored, hits, and doubles. His 22 home runs so far this year are one better than the 21 he hit in total last season.
With just under two months left in the season, the future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers are looking to dig deep and rid themselves of any possible wild-card burden. The former NL MVP of 2020 looks as frightening as ever at the plate, and if he can stay hot and continue to be a success factor for Los Angeles, it may not be as unrealistic for him to catch up to Acuña as it seemed to be earlier in the year.
It’s time we have a real conversation about Freddie Freeman and the NL MVP award. This is incredible.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) August 4, 2023
(Yes I know Acuña exists. I promise it’s closer than you think.)
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These two former teammates and World Series champions back in 2021 are putting on quite the battle for the NL MVP crown. Acuña and Freeman are the one and two leaders for NL-wide statistics including, OPS, runs scored, total bases, times on base, and offensive win percentage.
Freeman is catching up to Acuña in most stats that do not involve stealing bases. They are tied for best offensive WAR and most hits in the majors this year, and Freeman is a multi-hit outing away from taking categories such as runs scored and batting average.
Acuña’s batting average is at a career-high .343 and is helping lead the Braves to another dominant regular season and a first-place finish in the NL East. He is on pace for 80 stolen bases which is more than double his previous career high of 37 set in 2019. Atlanta is 10.5 games ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies, but Freeman’s case of leading a Dodgers team to first place in a seriously tight division should be considered.
Freeman rounding the bases after hitting his 300th career home run on May 18, 2023. Photo by Joe Puetz (USA TODAY Sports)
The Dodgers have retaken their spot at the top of the NL West after a grueling first half in the shadows of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Freeman and the rest of the Dodgers have seemed to turn things around and play baseball at a level that could prove to be promising come October.
